Miniature Bull Terrier

The AKC has grouped all of the breeds that it registers into seven categories, or groups, roughly based on function and heritage. Breeds are grouped together because they share traits of form and function or a common heritage.

Find a Puppy: Miniature Bull Terrier

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GENERAL APPEARANCE AND SIZE

The Miniature Bull Terrier must be strongly built, symmetrical and active, with a keen, determined and intelligent expression. He should be full of fire, having a courageous, even temperament and be amenable to discipline.

HEAD

The head should be long, strong and deep, right to the end of the muzzle, but not coarse. The full face should be oval in outline and be filled completely up, giving the impression of fullness with a surface devoid of hollows or indentations, i.e., egg shaped. The profileshould curve gently downwards from the top of the skull to the tip of the nose. The foreheadshould be flat across from ear to ear. The distance from the tip of the nose to the eyes should be perceptibly greater than that from the eyes to the top of the skull. The underjaw should be deep and well defined.

BODY

The neck should be very muscular, long, and arched; tapering from the shoulders to the head, it should be free from loose skin. The backshould be short and strong with a slight arch over the loin. Behind the shoulders there should be no slackness or dip at the withers. The body should be well rounded with marked spring of rib. The back ribs deep. The chest should be broad when viewed from in front. There should be great depth from withers to brisket, so that the latter is nearer to the ground than the belly. The underline, from the brisket to the belly, should form a graceful upward curve. The tail should be short, set on low, fine, and should be carried horizontally. It should be thick where it joins the body, and should taper to a fine point.

FOREQUARTERS

The shoulders should be strong and muscular, but without heaviness. The shoulder blades should be wide and flat and there should be a very pronounced backward slope from the bottom edge of the blade to the top edge. The legs should be big boned but not to the point of coarseness. The forelegs should be of moderate length, perfectly straight, and the dog must stand firmly up on them. The elbows must turn neither in nor out, and the pasterns should be strong and upright.

COAT

The coat should be short, flat and harsh to the touch with a fine gloss. The dog’s skin should fit tightly.

HINDQUARTERS

The hind legs should be parallel when viewed from behind. The thighs are very muscular with hocks well let down. The stifle joint is well bent with a well developed second thigh. The hind pasterns should be short and upright.

In most every way the Miniature Bull Terrier is a Bull Terrier, only smaller. These upbeat, mischievous dogs come equipped with terrier fire and fearlessness. If ever a dog could claim the title “Clown Prince of Dogdom,” it’s the Mini.

About the Miniature Bull Terrier

In nearly every way the Mini is a Bull Terrier, only smaller. In fact, before 1991 the AKC classified the two Bullys as varieties of the same breed. Minis stand between 10 and 14 inches at the shoulder. They’re square, muscular, and, for their size, quite strong. Their trademark is a large egg-shaped head, with its dark, triangular eyes that twinkle with mischief. It’s impossible to mistake the Bull Terrier breeds for any other. The coat can be pure white, or white with predominate colored markings.

National Breed Clubs and Rescue

Want to connect with other people who love the same breed as much as you do? We have plenty of opportunities to get involved in your local community, thanks to AKC Breed Clubs located in every state, and more than 450 AKC Rescue Network groups across the country.

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Find a Puppy: Miniature Bull Terrier

AKC Marketplace | PuppyFinder

AKC Marketplace is the only site to exclusively list 100% AKC puppies from AKC-Registered litters and the breeders who have cared for and raised these puppies are required to follow rules and regulations established by the AKC.

Features

Features

Care

NUTRITION

The Miniature Bull Terrier should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some Mini Bulls are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

GROOMING

The Miniature Bull Terrier doesn’t require a lot of grooming beyond regular baths and a weekly once-over with a soft brush or hound glove. The breed’s strong, fast-growing nails should be trimmed regularly using a nail clipper or grinder to avoid splitting and cracking of an overgrown nail. Their ears should be checked routinely to avoid a buildup of wax and debris, which can result in infection. Teeth should be brushed regularly and should also receive periodic cleanings from your veterinarian.

Grooming Frequency

Occasional Bath/Brush

Specialty/Professional

Occasional Bath/Brush

EXERCISE

Exercising an MBT can be tricky. They require enough exercise as puppies to stay in good condition and keep good muscle tone, yet they can be prone to “sudden lameness.” This is from a combination of weight and density of the muscle, rapid growth rate, and the breed’s very character, which keeps them in almost constant motion. Often their joints simply can’t handle the excesses until the dog is fully matured. For that reason, exercise of an MBT puppy should be kept at a minimum. Never allow them to jump up and down from heights or make sudden stops at high speeds.

Energy Level

Couch Potato

Needs Lots of Activity

Energetic

TRAINING

Typical terriers, Mini Bulls require a trainer with a firm hand and a gentle voice, as well as lots of patience and a great sense of humor. MBTs are highly intelligent, curious, and independent, although they do love to please their human once they know what you want. Many owners of Mini Bulls suggest clicker training. Whatever method you use, keep your tone positive, and be sure to keep training sessions light and fun to hold your MBT’s attention. Early socialization is a must.

Trainability

May be Stubborn

Eager to Please

Independent

Temperament/Demeanor

Aloof/Wary

Outgoing

Alert/Responsive

HEALTH

Ask your dog’s breeder for the results of health tests performed on both sire and dam, and results on the puppy itself for heart and kidney issues, deafness, luxating patellas, and primary lens luxation. Puppies can be susceptible to sudden lameness, so care should be exercised to limit some of their activities. The Miniature Bull Terrier Club of America requires breeder-members to test all breeding stock and puppies. Any responsible breeder should belong to the breed club and adhere to their rules.

History

The Bull Terrier was created as a fighting dog in the 1830s by crossing Bulldogs with now-extinct English terriers. Soon after, breeders began work on a miniaturized version to use as above-ground ratters (as opposed to “go to ground” terriers, who burrow into the earth in search of quarry). The result of a very long trial-and- period was the Mini. Today’s Minis are companion dogs, but the ratter instinct and a protective streak remain as souvenirs of the breed’s formative years.

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Did You Know?

There used to be three types of Bull Terrier: Toy, Miniature, and Standard. The toy dog, however, fell out of favor and there are now only Miniature and Standard size Bull Terriers.

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The Miniature Bull Terrier was accepted in Miscellaneous Class in 1963 and accepted as a breed in 1991.

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In early 19th century the Bulldog & now the extinct White English Terrier were interbred to produce the "Bull and Terrier" later known as the Bull Terrier.

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The Miniature Bull Terrier originated in England.

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The Miniature Bull Terrier is AKC's 133rd breed.

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These dogs have a high activity level, they are smart and creative, and indeed they are independent thinkers.

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The Breed Standard

GENERAL APPEARANCE AND SIZE

The Miniature Bull Terrier must be strongly built, symmetrical and active, with a keen, determined and intelligent expression. He should be full of fire, having a courageous, even temperament and be amenable to discipline.

HEAD

The head should be long, strong and deep, right to the end of the muzzle, but not coarse. The full face should be oval in outline and be filled completely up, giving the impression of fullness with a surface devoid of hollows or indentations, i.e., egg shaped. The profileshould curve gently downwards from the top of the skull to the tip of the nose. The foreheadshould be flat across from ear to ear. The distance from the tip of the nose to the eyes should be perceptibly greater than that from the eyes to the top of the skull. The underjaw should be deep and well defined.

BODY

The neck should be very muscular, long, and arched; tapering from the shoulders to the head, it should be free from loose skin. The backshould be short and strong with a slight arch over the loin. Behind the shoulders there should be no slackness or dip at the withers. The body should be well rounded with marked spring of rib. The back ribs deep. The chest should be broad when viewed from in front. There should be great depth from withers to brisket, so that the latter is nearer to the ground than the belly. The underline, from the brisket to the belly, should form a graceful upward curve. The tail should be short, set on low, fine, and should be carried horizontally. It should be thick where it joins the body, and should taper to a fine point.

FOREQUARTERS

The shoulders should be strong and muscular, but without heaviness. The shoulder blades should be wide and flat and there should be a very pronounced backward slope from the bottom edge of the blade to the top edge. The legs should be big boned but not to the point of coarseness. The forelegs should be of moderate length, perfectly straight, and the dog must stand firmly up on them. The elbows must turn neither in nor out, and the pasterns should be strong and upright.

COAT

The coat should be short, flat and harsh to the touch with a fine gloss. The dog’s skin should fit tightly.

HINDQUARTERS

The hind legs should be parallel when viewed from behind. The thighs are very muscular with hocks well let down. The stifle joint is well bent with a well developed second thigh. The hind pasterns should be short and upright.

Miniature Bull Terrier

In most every way the Miniature Bull Terrier is a Bull Terrier, only smaller. These upbeat, mischievous dogs come equipped with terrier fire and fearlessness. If ever a dog could claim the title “Clown Prince of Dogdom,” it’s the Mini.

Founded in 1884, the AKC is the recognized and trusted expert in breed, health and training information for dogs. AKC actively advocates for responsible dog ownership and is dedicated to advancing dog sports.